The Ultimate College Football Bowl Guide: Your Playbook for the 2024-25 Season

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year—bowl season! For college football fans, it’s like a month-long holiday where the gifts are touchdowns, overtimes, and school fight songs played way too many times. From the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl on December 14 to the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, the action is non-stop, the stakes are high, and yes, someone will probably get doused with Gatorade at the worst possible moment.

This year, 82 teams will hit the field to give us a postseason packed with excitement, heart-stopping finishes, and probably a few unforgettable bloopers. So grab your snacks, set your alarms, and settle in for football heaven. Below, you’ll find the full lineup of games, matchups, and times. And don’t worry—we’ve got the results from completed games, so you’ll know exactly who’s living the dream and who’s packing up their gear early.

College Football Playoff: The Road to Glory

The College Football Playoff is where legends are made and dreams are crushed, all in the name of ultimate bragging rights. Here’s how things are shaping up:

First Round Results

Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17
Penn State 38, SMU 10
Texas 38, Clemson 24
Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17

Quarterfinal Matchups

Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State
Date/Time: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee winner
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
Date/Time: Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Semifinals

Orange Bowl: TBD
Date/Time: Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Cotton Bowl: TBD
Date/Time: Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Championship Game

Date/Time: Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Bowl Bonanza: A Month of Matchups

Bowl games aren’t just about the top teams; they’re about giving everyone—from Cinderella stories to powerhouse programs—a shot at glory. Here’s how the postseason action has played out so far:

Saturday, Dec. 14

Cricket Celebration Bowl: Jackson State 28, South Carolina State 7
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: South Alabama 30, Western Michigan 23

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl: Memphis 42, West Virginia 37

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Boca Raton Bowl: James Madison 27, Western Kentucky 17
LA Bowl: UNLV 24, Cal 13

Thursday, Dec. 19

New Orleans Bowl: Sam Houston 31, Georgia Southern 26

Friday, Dec. 20

StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Ohio 30, Jacksonville State 27
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Florida 33, Tulane 8

Monday, Dec. 23

Myrtle Beach Bowl: UTSA 44, Coastal Carolina 15
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Northern Illinois 28, Fresno State 20 (2 OT)

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Hawaii Bowl: South Florida 41, San Jose State 39 (5 OT)

Thursday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports Bowl: Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 (6 OT)
Rate Bowl: Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41
68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas State 38, Bowling Green 31

Friday, Dec. 27

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Navy 21, Oklahoma 20
Birmingham Bowl: Vanderbilt 35, Georgia Tech 27
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Arkansas 39, Texas Tech 26
DirecTV Holiday Bowl: Syracuse 52, Washington State 35
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: USC 35, Texas A&M 31

Saturday, Dec. 28

Wasabi Fenway Bowl (11 a.m., ESPN): UConn vs. North Carolina
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl (Noon, ABC): Boston College vs. Nebraska
Isleta New Mexico Bowl (2:15 p.m., ESPN): TCU vs. Louisiana
Pop-Tarts Bowl (3:30 p.m., ABC): Miami (FL) vs. Iowa State
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl (4:30 p.m., CW): Colorado State vs. Miami (OH)
Go Bowling Military Bowl (5:45 p.m., ESPN): NC State vs. East Carolina
Valero Alamo Bowl (7:30 p.m., ABC): Colorado vs. BYU
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (9:15 p.m., ESPN): Army vs. Marshall

Why Bowl Season is the Best Season

Sure, some games might not feature the top-tier programs, but that’s what makes bowl season special. It’s a mix of underdog triumphs, emotional farewells for seniors, and some good old-fashioned chaos (looking at you, 6-overtime thrillers). It’s about more than just trophies—it’s about pride, tradition, and the kind of moments that make college football unforgettable.

So whether you’re cheering for your alma mater, tuning in to scout future NFL stars, or just watching for the fun of it, enjoy the ride. Bowl season is here, and it’s ready to deliver. Let the games begin!